“If you’re into camping, off-road, outdoor lifestyle, you gotta come here.” – Overland Expo SoCal Exhibitor, Hollywood Racks
Over 19,000 overlanding enthusiasts agree; Overland Expo SoCal 2026 was the place to be for all things overland, outdoor, and more. The event is over, but we will always have the shared memories, photos, and videos to reminisce on what an awesome weekend it was. Let’s take a look back at the highlights, the numbers, and the massive impact our community made this weekend.
Thank You to Our Title Sponsors!
We always appreciate the opportunity to work with the best in the overlanding community, and the Overland Expo SoCal sponsors were a great example of that crowd! Each of our sponsoring companies helped Overland Expo SoCal 2026 be one of the largest overland gatherings in the world. Thanks to our Title Sponsors: AlphaRexUSA, Anker SOLIX, ARB 4×4 Accessories, Baja Designs, BFGoodrich, Classic Overland, Evotrex, Kumho Tires, ROA OFF-ROAD, Subaru, Toyota, and Wanderbox for their support.
The ULTIMATE Gear Showcase
With a staggering 420 exhibitors on site, the massive footprint of the event gave you a front-row seat to the best off-road and outdoor products in the industry. From cutting-edge rooftop tents and flatbed conversions to heavy-duty suspension kits, the sheer volume of innovation was off the charts. It wasn’t just the big-ticket items turning heads—filtered water bottles, paddleboards, e-bikes, outdoor apparel, and countless other essentials helped shape an impressive collection of must-have products. Walking the packed aisles, you could feel the excitement as travelers interacted directly with the brands that make our adventures possible.
Leveling Up Your Skills
Education is the heartbeat of Overland Expo. This year, you showed up hungry to learn. We hosted 128 education sessions totaling 146 session hours, all led by 56 world-class instructors.
You practiced fundamental skills in the Overland Essentials Area sponsored by Vortex Optics, leveled up your camp kitchen game in the Backcountry & Culinary Pavilion sponsored by Mohab, and dove deep into technical travel topics in The Learning Lab sponsored by FOX. We also saw an incredible turnout and inspiring connections at the Women Who Wander Pavilion sponsored by Kelderman Mfg., proving that the demand for diverse, community-led education is thriving.
A Growing Local Community—and Lots of Dogs!
The overlanding community is expanding fast. An incredible 55% of you were completely new to Overland Expo! Welcome to the family. We also noticed a fascinating trend in the numbers: 92% of our attendees traveled from right here in California. Normally, we see about 60% local attendance at our shows. This massive local turnout proves that the Southern California overlanding scene is STRONG.
Did we mention the dogs? A grand total of 703 dogs were registered to attend. Seeing so many four-legged co-pilots (and some with three) enjoying the beautiful weather definitely put a smile on our faces. We also welcomed 59 media members who hit the ground running to capture the magic of the weekend.
Good Times and Giving Back
After a long day of walking the venue, taking a well-deserved break was a must. You relaxed in the shade at Bivvy #1 sponsored by Hankook Tire and gathered with friends at the Oasis Bar & Food Court sponsored by Nokian Tyres. PFRIEM Beer kept the good times rolling with awesome beer tastings, leading right into an epic Saturday Happy Hour sponsored by Toyo Tires.
But the absolute best part of the weekend? Your overwhelming generosity. The Saturday night Overland Expo Foundation raffle raised over $10,000! These critical funds go directly toward protecting public lands and supporting overland-focused charities so we can keep exploring for years to come. Thank you for showing up and giving back to the trails we all love. Read more about the raffle straight from the horse’s mouth.
READ MORE: Overland Expo SoCal 2026 Wrap Up-$10,000 Raised for Overlanding Convservation
Where Will Your Rig Take You Next?
Overland Expo SoCal 2026 proved that the spirit of adventure is alive and well. Now that you have the gear and the training, it is time to pack your vehicle and hit the dirt.
Stay tuned to The Compass for more gear roundups and vehicle features from the event, and join us on our road trip! WEST is NEXT.
